Multicolor-printing press.



PATBNTED MAY 17, 1904.

y B.J.SUGH. MULTIGOLOB. PRINTING PRESS.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. 17, 1904.

2 SHEETS-'SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

l HIJHHHIH?! Mmm' lll H PATENTED MAY l1'7, 1904.

` 'B. J. SUCH.

MULTIGOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-17, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented May 1'?, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

MULTICQLoR-PRIN'HNG. PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,272, dated May 17, 1904.

Application led February 1'7, 1904. Serial No. 193,959.` (No model.)

To all 71,171,011?, it may concern:

'Be it known that I, BENJAMIN J. SUCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the .District o'i'Columbi'a, have invented certain new and useful Improvements "in Multicolor-Printing Presses, of lwhich the 'lollowingis a specification.

` My invention relates to improvements in multicol n-printing presses adapted to print 1o complementary patterns successivelyupon a web of paper which is passed between a serles of impression-cylinders anda series of printing-rollers before leaving' the machine.

, The invention is particularly adapted for x5 use 1n connection with printing-rollers of the kind shown in my application Serial No. 160,401, in which the roller is made from a photo-engraved plate bent into cylindrical form and having its meeting' ends connected 2o to form a continuous printing-surface, the

cylinder thus formed having an interiorfilling which constitutesa backing and support for the plate. The diameters oi'y such cylinders, it will be understood, will vary with the z3 size oi'I the photograph; and the press which forms the subject of the present invention has for its object the provision oi' suitable means whereby the patterns upon the paper may be made to register with the patterns upon a series oi printing-rollers of any Vgiven diameter.

In'the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure I is a sideview ot' va portion oi' the press, showingfthe adjustable paper-carrying frame and the printing-roll- 40 view of the paper-carrying frame. Fig. 5l`is a view showing' a bearing-block and couplingsleeve 'for the shaft ends oi.' adjacent printing-i rollers; and Fig. 6 is a side View of part `ot, the main iframe, showing the bearing-block and coupling-sleeve in position thereon. The printing-press shown in the drawingsf is provided with three printing-rollersand is adapted for printing in three colors.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the main frame of the machine, the upper part of which is rectangular in plan view, and this upper portion oi' the iframe is divided into three equal sections or divisions c, and d by bars l and 2, extending longitudinally oi' the machine and parallel with theside bars 3 and 4. These longitudinally-ar'anged bars are all connected to cross-bars 5 at the ends of the machine, only one of said cross-bars being' illustrated in the drawings. The printing-rollers B, O, and l) are arranged in the same axial line and are journaled in bearings mounted upon the bars I', 2, 3, and 4. The printingrollers may be mounted upon one common shaft; but preferably they are `mounted upon independent shafts, so as to be independently removablc, and the rollers are rotated in unison by means otsuitable gearing' meshing with a gear 5, which is fixed upon a stud 6, the latter being mounted in a bearing' upon the side bar 4 and coupled tothe end oi' the shaft of the adjacent roller B. Thedetails oi' the bearings and couplings will be hereinafter referred to. The several printingrollers have complementary photo-engraved patterns thereon. The circumferences ot' the cylinders must `therefore conform to the size ot' the photograph from which the etching is made. Ordinarily in multicolor-printing machines the pattern'is arranged upon rollers oi" predetermined size, and .the impression-cylinder is gearedso that itwill rotate, in harmony with `printi'ng-rollers oi' agiven diameter. l/Vith ollers, however, wherein the e" rollers vary withthe size oi y h, it would be necessary to pro- Yidean imp ssion-cylinder corresponding in ,diameter toeach set of printing-rollers it' the impression-cylinder and printing-rollers were ge red .'togetheig as `it would be practically ,impossible to provide changeable gearing 'lifwould give theimpression-cylinder the Ianne circumferential speeds` as the variety or' printing-rollers oi varying' diameters which ay beused. v In order that .a single impression-cylinder or set oiI cylindersimay bc used with my printing-rollers, arrange the im- `pression-cylinders upon a sliding frame, so

that they may he moved into :frictional enshort shafts.

gage'ment with the printing-rollers and driven thereby, and with this arrangement there need be no ixed relation between the diameters of the printing-rollers and impression-cylinders. Upon the frame carrying the impression-cylinders I provide means for directing the web of paper between the impression-cylinders andthe successive printing-rollers and means for adjusting the length of paper between successive printing-rollers so that the patterns impressed upon the paper will register with one another.

The impression-cylinders E, F, and G and the paper carrying, directing, and adjusting devices are carried upon a sliding frame H, which rests upon the main frame A. The sliding frame H is rectangular in form and provided with bars l, 2, 3, and 4, which rest upon the bars 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the main frame, respectively. The sliding frame is adjustable longitudinally of the mainframe by means of an adjusting-screw 7, litting within av threaded opening 8 in the rear of the sliding frame and having one end journaled in the cross-bar of the main frame and a handwheel 9 at its opposite end. Lateral motion of the sliding frame is prevented by three pairs of hangers 10, 11, and 12, which extend downwardly from the longitudinal bars of the sliding frame and engage the sides of the corresponding bars of the main frame. hangers serve as guides for the sliding frame, as well as supports for a series of angle-bars 14, 15, 16, and 17, which direct the web of paper around the impression-cylinders. The impression-cylinders are arranged at the forward end of the sliding frame upon a-shaft 18, mounted in the bars 1u to 4, inclusive. The rollers are, by preference, journaled upon the shaft so that they may turn independently, although they may be mounted upon separate Rollers 19, 20, and 21 of small diameter are supported above the cylinders E, F, and G, respectively, in bearings 22, secured to the sliding frame, and similar rollers 23, 24, and 25 are supported below the cylinders in hangers 26, depending from said frame. The paper-roll 27 is carried in bearings 28 upon the bars 2 and 4a. pended beneath the sliding frame in hangers 30 and 31, which are adjustable longitudinally of the Yframe in guide-slots 32 and 33, formed in the bars 1ft and 2, respectively. VThis adjustable roller is provided for the purpose of adjusting the length of paper between `the cylinders E and F. Similarly a roller 34 is suspended in hangers 35 and 36, which are adjustable in guide-slots 37 and 38 in the bars 1 and 3, respectively, the purpose of' this latter roller being to adjust the length of paper between the cylinders F and G. The printing-rollers are all arranged upon ltheir respective shafts so that their patterns commence in the same radial planes. Index-plates 39, 40, and 41 are arranged across the front of TheseV A roller 29 is sus-` the sliding frame above the impression-cylinders E, F, and G, these plates being supported by the bearings 22. At each end or' each index-plate is arranged a clamp 42, adapted to clamp the paper against the plate, and each plate has an indicating-mark 43, extending longitudinally thereon, these marks being in line with one another and at equal distances from the impression-points on the cylinders.

The course of the paper through the press is indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2. From the paper-roll 27 the paper web p passes over the guide-roll19, thence around the forwardface of the impression-cylinder E, thence beneath the guide-.roll23 and beneath the angle-bar 14, thence over said bar and over the angle-bary 15, thence beneath the adjustingroller 29 and around said roller to the top of the guide-roll 20. From the guide-roll 20 the web passes aroundv the front face of the impression-cylinder F, thence beneath the guide-roll 24 to the lower side'oi'. the angle-bar 16, thence around said bar16 and over the angle-bar 17,

thence beneath and around the adjusting-roller 34, and thenceto the topl of the guide-roll 21. From the guide-roll 21 the paper passes around the front face of the impression-cylinder Gr,

thence'benea'th a roller 44, journaled in the main frame, and from thence passes to suitable take-up devices. The web of paper 'is thus passed successively around the three impression-cylinders, with the side to be printed upon facing the printing-rollers.

In Figs. 1 and 2 thesliding frame is shown moved backward a short distance, so that the paper is not in Contact with the printing-rollers and may be adjusted. Vhen, however, the sliding frame is moved forward, it will be seen that the impression-cylinders will press the paper against the printing-rollers, and the impression-cylinders will be driven frictionally by said rollers and at the same circumferential speed, the patterns being impressed upon the.pap'er at the same time.

The purposelof mounting the impression. cylinders and the `paper carryingand adjusting devices on the sliding frame is to provide for adjustment of the paper web, so that the patterns'thereon may be brought into register with the patterns on the successive printingrollers. To eiiect this adjustment of the paper, the sliding Jframe is moved forward into operative position and the printing-rollers are operated until each of the irst and second printing-rollers has impressed a series of patternsV upon the paper extending between it and the succeeding printing-roller. The sliding frame is then inoved'backward, so as to free the paper from contact with the printingrollers while the latter remains stationary. rlhe paper web is then pulled backward until one end of one of the last patterns printed Aby the roller B is in exact register with the indicating-line 43 above the adjacent impression-cylinder E, and the paper is clamped at its edges IOO IIO

against the plate 39 by the clamps 4t2. The slack paper is rewound upon the paper-roller. The portion of the web between the cylinders E and F is then adjusted by bringing' one end of one of the {irst patterns printed by the roller B opposite the indicating-line on the plate 40, so that there will be an exact numf ber of patterns between the indicating-lines on the plates 39 and 40, the paper being taken up or let out by moving and resetting the adjusting roll or bar 29, and the paper is clamped against the plate 40. The paper between the cylinders F and G is then adjusted by bring* ing one end of one of the first patterns printed by the roller C opposite the indicatingdine on the plate 41, the paper being then clamped against said plate and the adjusting roller or bar 34 being moved and reset to take up or let out the paper between the cylinders, as required. When this adjustment of the bars or rollers 29 and 34 is effected, the length of paper between the impression-lines of each successive pair of cylinders will be equal to the length of an exact number of patterns, and when the clamps are released andthe machine again started into operation the patterns upon the several printing-rollers will register upon the paper. A single adjustment is all that is necessary for a given set or' printing-rollers, and as all the paper holding and guiding' devices are mounted upon the sliding frame the latter may be moved bodily with respect tothe printing-rollers for any purpose, such as inserting a new paper-roll, without disturbing the adjustment.

In order to facilitate the insertion and removal oi' the printing-rollers, I provide bearing-blocks I, rectangular in cross-section, which rest within corresponding sockets upon the upper sides of the bars l, 2, and 3 oi the main frame. These bearing-blocks are provided with end flanges 45 upon their upper sides and each block is locked in position by a clamp 46, hinged at one end to the frame and adapted to iit between said flanges. The opposite end of each clamp is secured to the frame by a screw 47. Each bearing-block is also provided with a single flange i8 on its lower side, which bears against the side of the bar upon which the bleek is supported. An axial opening 49 is formed in ,each bearing-block, anda sleeve 5() is litted to turn within said opening. The sleeve has an angular opening 5l eX- tending axially therethrough, and the ends 52 of the roller-shafts are angular in form and [it closely within the openings 5l of the sleeves. The sleeves thus serve as couplings for the shafts. To remove the printing-rollers, the clamp on bar 3 is opened, when the bearingblock on said bar may be slid off of the bar to the right in Fig. 3. The roller l) may then be moved longitudinally and disengaged from the `sleeve in the block on the bar 1. The latter block may then be unclamped and slid to the right and the roller C removed, and, lastly,

the block on the bar 2 is released and moved. to the right and the roller B removed. The rollers are inserted in the reverse order.

v In referring to a series of impression-cylinders I do not wish to confine myselfl to a series et' independent cylinders, as when secured to the shaft they may be considered as one cylinder' having several impression surfaces or portions.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a nmltieoler-printing press, a series of printing-rollers having complementary patterns thereon, and means for rotating said rollers, ol a corresponding series et impressioncylinders adapted to be driven frictionally by said rollers, means for frictionally engaging and disengaging said cylinders and rollers, and means for directing aweb of paper around said impression-cylinders successively.

2. In a multicolorprinting press, the combination with a series oi printing-rollers and means for operating the same, of a frame adjustable toward and from said printing-rollers, a series of impression-cylinders mounted Yin said frame and adapted to be driven frictionally by said printing-rollers, and means upon said frame for directing a web of paper around said iinpression-eylinders successively.

3. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a series of printing-rollers and means for operating the same, of a frame adjustable toward and from said rollers, a series or' impressiowcylinders mounted in said frame and adapted to bear against said rollers, means upon said frame for directing a web ot' paper around said cylinders successively, and means connected with said frame for` adjusting the length ot' paper between each successive pair of impression-cylinders.

4c. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a series of printing-rollers and means for operating the same, or' a frame adjustable toward and from said rollers, a series of impression-cylinders mounted in said frame and adapted to bear against said rollers, means upon said frame for directing a web or' paper around said cylinders successively, and means connected with said frame for adjusting the length of paper between each successive pair or' impression-cylinders comprising' a guide bar or roller arranged parallel with the second cylinder of the pair, said bar being adj ustable toward and from said second cylinder.

5. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a series of printing-rollers and means for operating the same,`ot` a frame adj ustable toward and from said rollers, a series of impression-cylinders mounted in said frame and adapted to bear against said rollers, means upon said frame for directing a web of paper around said cylinders successively, indicating devices upon said frame for indicating the positions of the patterns upon the paper re la- IOO IIC

tively to the impression-points upon the several cylinders, and means connected with said frame for adjusting the length of paper between successive indicating devices.

6. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a series ot' independent printing-rollers arranged in line with each other and having spindles projecting from their ends, of means for supporting and coupling adjacent rollers together comprising a bearing arranged between adjacent rollers and a coupling-sleeve journaled in said bearing, said coupling-sleeve being suitably formed to interlock with the spindles of adjacent rollers.

7. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a series of independent printing-rollers arranged in line with each other and having spindles projecting from their ends, of means for supporting and coupling adjacent rollers together comprising a bearing arranged between adjacent rollers and a coupling-sleeve journaled in said bearing, said couplingsleeve having an opening therein adapted to receive and interlock with the spindles of adjacent rollers.

8. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a main frame and a series of printing-rollers journaled therein, said rollers having spindles projecting from their ends, of a bearing-block removably secured to said frame between each adjacent pair of rollers, and a coupling-sleeve journaled in said bearing,said coupling-sleeve being suitably formed to support and interlock with the spindles of adjacent rollers.

`9. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination with a main frame and a series of printing-rollers journaled therein, said rollers having spindles projecting from their ends, of a bearing-block removably7 secured to said frame between each adjacent pair of rollers, and a coupling-sleeve journaled in said bearing, said coupling-sleeve having an opening therein adapted to receive and interlock with the spindles of adjacent rollers.

lO. In amulticolor-printing press, the combination with a main frame having a series of bars extending longitudinally thereof, of bearing-blocks arranged upon said bars, each bearing-block having a flange at one end adapted to bear against a side of' the adjacent bar, clamps adapted to clamp said blocks upon the bars, coupling-sleeves rotatably mounted in said blocks, said sleeves having axial openings therein, and printing-rollers arranged between said bars and having spindles extending into the openings in the sleeves and suitablyT formed to interlock with said openings.

1l. Inamulticolor-printing press, the combination with a main frame having a series of bars extending longitudinally thereof, of bearing-blocks arranged upon said bars, each bearing-block having' a flange at one end adaptedy to bear against a side of the adjacent bar and a pair of ianges projecting upwardly from opposite ends of the block, clamps hinged to the bars and adapted to lit between the upwardly-projecting,flanges of the blocks, coupling-sleeves rotatably mounted in said blocks said sleeves having axial openings therein, and printing-rollers arranged between said bars and having spindles extending into the openings in the sleeves and suitably formed to interlock with said openings.

In testimony whereofl affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN J. SUCH.

Witnesses:

BERNARD W. BoN'rz, GEORGE D. BRooKEs. 

